Slic3r

Slice3r from http://slic3r.org/ converts 3D format as stl
into machine, material and model specific G code. It can send
the gcode directly to octoprint using the API key from
octoprint as authentication.

It has rich features as:

Adding supporting material when printing flatter than
45°. For supporting material infill rectangular can
better be removed than honeycomb.

Infill patterns as honeycomb to save material and
reduce printing time

Figure 4.1. Slic3r

The priorities of Slic3r are not in making a standalone gui
program (however the gui is nice), it has a command line
interface that allows to integrate Slic3r into other programs.
Having it standalone gives the better overview and link to its
documentation to tune the many slice parameters. The
configuration manager ask for the necessary settings to get a
first useful printing result.

Slic3r has two modes simple and expert.

In simple modes all the settings supported via *.ini files that are ASCII readable.

In expert mode the *.ini files
parameters are split into 3: Print, Filament and Printer
profiles. *.ini files can be
still imported and exported.

Warning

As tests with Velleman *.ini
file import and export and diff showed, just in expert
modes all parameters can be imported. In simple mode some are
set to default. Therefore advanced users should work only in
export mode to not get some of their settings set to
default.

The configuration files go into ~/.Slic3r/

The skirt is the outer ring that has the purpose to have the
filament flow nicely before printing with the first and
critical layer begins. The skirt does not touch the object.

Perimeters are the outside walls of the objects.

Top and bottom layers should get a concentric infill when
the object is round.

Brim is to make a larger surface on the bed so the object
sticks better to it. It is attached to the object. Once
printed, the surface can then be removed.

Raft is an additional floor underneath the object to be
printed (Brim is on the first layer(s) of the object). Mostly
it is less dense and has a pattern.

Important

The extrusion width in % is based on the layer height and
not the extruder width. To achieve a good printing result, it
has to be made sure that the values given result in an
extrusion width that is larger than the extruder width. As
example if layer height is 0.25mm and extrusion width is 150%
then the extrusion width is 0.25mm*150%=0.375mm and this is
below the 0.5mm extruder with.

The Object> Settings (or its icon) opens a window where
the following can be made:

Depending on the z position, the layer height can be
modified using a list

An stl file can be loaded to define a zone that
overlaps the objects stl file. For this zone then
different modifiers can be selected. Examples: set infill
to 100%. or use an other extruder with a different
material. See: http://slic3r.org/blog/modifier-meshes